The long-term disability plan for eligible M&P, Administrative Executive, and CUPE 2278 ELI staff members is called the UBC Disability Benefit Plan (DBP). This is a mandatory, employee-paid plan that provides a monthly income, after a six-month waiting period, for those who meet the definition of total disability under the plan. The DBP is administered by Sun Life, with oversight from the M&P DBP Governance Committee.

The premium rate is reconsidered every January 1st, and takes into consideration the number of claims during the most recent five years, membership demographic data, and potential future claims. The DBP premium rate is proposed by the Insurer (Sun Life), and reviewed by the plan’s Benefits Consultant (Pointbreak Consulting Group). A Governance Committee that includes representatives of your employment group and the University review and approve the final rate that is recommended by the Consultant.

For the upcoming year, the 2018 DBP premium rate will be 0.904% of earnings, which is lower than the 2017 rate of 1.039%. For monthly employees the new premium rate will be reflected on Jan. 15, 2018, pay cheques. For hourly employees, the new premium rate will be reflected on the Jan. 23, 2018, pay cheque.

The DBP rate has remained stable and decreased in previous years as follows:

2013: 1.346%

2014: 1.310%

2015: 1.049%

2016: 1.021%

2017: 1.039%

2018: 0.904%

The M&P DBP Governance Committee will continue to regularly review the disability plan to ensure that it meets the needs of M&P, Administrative Executive, and CUPE 2278 ELI plan members and that premium rates remain fair and financially competitive.